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NJ Cops Protest Common's White House Visit Over Assata Shakur Track
The head of the union that represents the New Jersey State Police has spoken out against Common's visit to the White House tonight (May 11th).
Common is among the guests to attend the White House's celebration of American poetry, which is being hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
In addition to Common, Aimee Mann, Jill Scott, Elizabeth Alexander, Kenneth Goldsmith, Alison Knowles, Bill Collins and Rita Dove are scheduled to give poetry readings.
During an interview with NBC New York, David Jones, President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association Union, took offense to the lyrics in Common's track "A Song for Assata."
"The young people who read this stuff, hear this stuff, are getting a very dangerous and deadly message," David Jones, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association union told NBC.
"A Song for Assata" pays homage to Joanne Chesimard aka Assata Shakur, who was convicted of killing a New Jersey Police officer during a controversial trial in 1973.
Shakur escaped a prison in 1979 and is currently residing in Cuba under political asylum, although the United States Government is still offering a $1 million dollar reward for her capture.
The State Troopers Fraternal Association Union are upset because Common's visit comes as they prepare to head to Washington, D.C. to honor slain officers at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
Source: allhiphop.com
Common is among the guests to attend the White House's celebration of American poetry, which is being hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
In addition to Common, Aimee Mann, Jill Scott, Elizabeth Alexander, Kenneth Goldsmith, Alison Knowles, Bill Collins and Rita Dove are scheduled to give poetry readings.
During an interview with NBC New York, David Jones, President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association Union, took offense to the lyrics in Common's track "A Song for Assata."
"The young people who read this stuff, hear this stuff, are getting a very dangerous and deadly message," David Jones, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association union told NBC.
"A Song for Assata" pays homage to Joanne Chesimard aka Assata Shakur, who was convicted of killing a New Jersey Police officer during a controversial trial in 1973.
Shakur escaped a prison in 1979 and is currently residing in Cuba under political asylum, although the United States Government is still offering a $1 million dollar reward for her capture.
The State Troopers Fraternal Association Union are upset because Common's visit comes as they prepare to head to Washington, D.C. to honor slain officers at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
Source: allhiphop.com